FREE ESSAY ON OEDIPUS REX

OEDIPUS REX

In Sophocles's play "Oedipus Rex" Oedipus Even though fate seems to determine Oedipus'
life, . he does infact have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only
his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side
of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a prophesy that his going to kill his
father and sleep with his mother he ran away, even when he new there were suspicions of
him being the real son of his parents. There some lines from the play: ...There was a man
dining with us one day who had too much wine and man shouted at me-half drunk and
shouting that I was not rightly called my father's son. ... Without my parent's
knowledge, I went to Delphi, but Apollo did not say what I had gone to hear. Instead, he
answered questions I had not asked and told of horror and misery beyond believe - how I
would know my mothers bad ... and cause the death of my own father. The prophecy drove
the Oedipus away from home; the terror of the predictions was too much to live with.
Oedipus tried everything not to meet the prophecy, and still when he came to Thebes and
became a king Oedipus married an older lady. It was his choice, even when he knew there
was a danger of him to know mothers bad, he made it. Oedipus' quest for truth was his
choice. When the Teiresias tried not to reveal the truth, The Oedipus was the one, who
made the priest to talk: This city gave you life and yet you refuse to answer! You speak
as if you were her enemy. ... For God's sake, if you know, don't turn away from us! We
are pleading. We are begging you. ... You will not tell? You monster! You could stir the
stones of earth to a burning rage! You will newer tell? What it will take? As the truth
is getting revealed: ... You, Oedipus, are the desecrator, the polluter of this land.
Oedipus does not believe (his choice). He (Oedipus) start to accuse Creon of truing to
take his powers away (king). And still want to reveal whole truth. After talking to
Jocasta Oedipus faces that he in fact might killed the king Laius.  There was s herald
leading a carriage drawn by horses and the man riding in the carriage ... The driver
pushed. In anger, I struck him. The old man saw it, reached for his lash and waited till
I had passed. Then he struck me on the head. But he paid-oh yes he paid. ... I killed
him. And again that was a choice, he (Oedipus) knew that he will kill his own father,
even when he killed an old man he didn't thought of possibility, that the old man might
be his father. Oedipus fate was determined before he was even born, and by trying t o
overcome it, he actually perfectly filing in his position in life which is a prophesy.
Oedipus thought that he oversmarted the Gods, but in fact every his move he made moved
him closer to prophesy becoming a reality. Oedipus Essay (Fate) Sophocles "Oedipus the
King" is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed
his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus was well known to the athenian's.
Oedipus is the embodiement of the perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent,
and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring about his tragic
discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of Sphinx. Sophocles
used the riddle of the sphinx as a metaphor for the 3 phases of Oedipus' life and to
futher characterized him as a tragic man. The Sphinx posed the following riddle to all
who came to obtain the rule of thebes: "What is it that walks on 4 feet and 2 feet and 3
feet and has only one voice, when it walks on most feet it is the weakest?" Oedipus
correctly answered "Man" and became the king of Thebes. This riddle is a metaphor for the
life of Oedipus. As a child man crawls on his hands and knees this is the four feet to
which the Sphinx refers. Also man is at his weakest as a small child. He depends solely
on others for his nourishment and well being. Oedipus was the child of Jocasta and King
Laius who was taken to the mountain by a shepard to be killed so the omen of the god
apollo that Laius' son would kill him and lay with Jocasta would not come true. Oedipus
was the weakest of his life at this point. If it has not been for the shepard spairing
his life and giving him to Polybus to raise as his own Oedipus would have died. Man walks
on 2 feet when he has matured. This is a metaphor for Oedipus when he reaches adulthood
and leaves Corinth to escape the oracle. Oedipus meets up with a band of travelers and in
a rage kills them. Inadvertently Oedipus has killed his own father. Oedipus then answers
the riddle of the sphinx and becomes king of Thebes. By becoming king of Thebes he
marries Jocasta the Queen of thebes and his own mother. Many years later after bearing
children with Jocasta a plague kills many of the inhabitants of Thebes. Oedipus is told
by the gods to find the killer of Laius. He is very dilligent in the inquiriy and finally
comes to the horrible truth that he himself is the murderer. Jocasta kills herself at the
horrible realization that she has layed with her son and Oedipus puts out his eyes at
finally seeing the truth. This fulfills the final part of the Sphinx's riddle for Oedipus
will have to walk with a cane for the rest of his life because of his blindness, this
will give him the 3 feet which man walks with at the end of his years. Oedipus used his
intellect and diligence to answer the riddle of the Sphinx. Many of the most intelligent
young men of thebes has been killed attempting to answer the riddle but Oedipus proved
his intelligence superior to theirs. Oedipus uses the same intelligence and perseverence
to find the killer of Laius. He does not give up his search even when Jocasta warns him
to stop and let the matter rest. He calls the shepard and interrogates him till he
discovers the horrifying truth that he is the killer. Oedipus' intelligence was
ultimately his flaw. Also, if Oedipus had not had been as coarageous he would have have
never ventured to answer the riddle of the Sphinx. Thus even though he had killed his
father he would have never become king of Thebes and laid with his mother. In addition,
if Oedipus had had the courage but not the intelligence the Spinx would have killed him
for answering the riddle incorrectly. Sophocles used this to characterized Oedipus as a
tragic man for he came about his tragic discovery not because of an evil act or an evil
trait but because of the person he was. Oedipus traits which gave him riches and power
ultimately led to his tragic ending. Also, the god apollo did not predestine that Oedipus
would kill his father and marry his mother by the oracle, he only stated what he knew was
inevitable because of who Oedipus was. The sphinx's riddle was used by Sophocles to
characterize Oedipus as a tragic man and as a parallel to his life. The riddle describes
the 3 stages which Oedipus went through in his life. Also in answering the riddle Oedipus
inevitable brought about his own tragic ending by a horrible discovery. . Oedipus does
not unselfishly seek out the truth even though he knows it will be painful for him,
rather, he has no idea what the outcome of his search will be, denies the truth at every
turn, and threatens those who speak it. Many people may paint Oedipus as a great man,
pointing out that he pursues the truth at whatever personal cost and has the strength to
accept and endure it when found. They admire that Oedipus was willing to bring himself
down in his lust to find his true identity. However, the driving force of Oedipus'
fact-finding mission is an attempt to end the disease that plagues his city. He doesn't
realize the personal consequences his hunt will have for him, and his loyalty to the
truth is based on his ignorance of it. In fact, if we examine his quest for identity, it
becomes apparent that the sequence of events are quite coincidental. First, he summons
Tiresias to name the killer, who Oedipus does not at the time believe to be himself.
Secon! The tragic hero Oedipus emerges as anything but a social person. He may begin that
way, motivated by a genuine desire to help the people, but what emerges throughout is
different. It becomes plain to see that Oedipus is actually, deep down where it really
counts, far more concerned with his own sense of self and demands for justice on his
terms, than in compromising his desires like any other true leader would. This tragedy
reminds us that even the bravest, those known throughout the world for their knowledge,
are doomed if they set themselves up against the mystery of life itself, and if they try
to force life to answer them, they are going to self-destruct. Oedipus Rex - Bliss in
Ignorance Oedipus Rex - Bliss in Ignorance One of the most memorable and meaningful
Socratic quotes applies well when in context of Sophocles' Theban Trilogy. The unexamined
life is not worth living, proclaims Socrates. He could have meant many things by this
statement, and in relation to the play, the meaning is found to be even more complex.
Indeed, the situation of Oedipus, king of Thebes, the truth of this statement is in
question. Would Oedipus have been better off if he was blind to the knowledge of his
birthing and the fate which was foretold to someday befall him? Truly though, his life
would have been a far better and easier path had he never known about his true origins.
His life in Corinth would have been long and prosperous, and Thebes would have lived on
under King Laius. In fact, everyone would have been better off in the long run if Oedipus
had not ventured out beyond the walls of Corinth. So is it worth living an examined life?
Socrates had made this statement long after the creation of the Theban Trilogy. In the
context of his own time, this was meant to imply that life must be examined and reflected
upon, known and discovered by each individual philosopher to better enrich life for all.
Yet in terms of Sophoclean drama, specifically Oedipus Rex, this was meant in a vastly
different way. The unexamined life was one that was in the dark, unknown as to what fate
lied beyond every turn and irony of living. Oedipus, up to the point in which he heard
the comment in the tavern in Corinth, lived an unexamined life. To Socrates, he was an
unfulfilled man, one who deserved to know more, one who not complete. However, in a much
less metaphysical sense, Oedipus' life was complete, in that he had all that he needed,
and was living a happy and fruitful life. As the drama progresses, he finds out more and
more, learning exactly what the implications of his birth was, he suffers the fate for
examining his life. So what Socrates had meant, that the life which was not rich with
self exploration and reflection was not worth living, was indeed different than its
application in terms of Oedipus, who's life was unexamined, yet complete. The question
arises, what would life have been like, if Oedipus had not discovered his true origins?
If he had stayed in Corinth, would this have ever happened? We find that indeed, we would
have had no story, if not for that lone comment of a drunkard which sparked the fire of
rebellion in the young prince Oedipus. He ventured out to Delphi, to pry knowledge of his
background out of it, and to discover if this was indeed the truth, despite the fact that
his adopted parents of Corinth had assured him of it falseness. Oedipus leaves Corinth,
fulfilling the Socratic idea of the unexamined life. However, we must evaluate the
eventual consequences of his actions and the implications which they possess. What
becomes of his fateful journey out of Corinth leads to the downfall of an entire city and
family line. If he had not murdered King Laius, the Sphinx would have never descended
upon Thebes, he would have never fulfilled the prophecy, and all would have lived on in a
relative peace and tranquillity. Once examining these aspects of the relationship between
the quote and Oedipus Rex, we can come to a final examination of its implications. The
question which was addressed, that of the value of the examined life, can be answered.
Indeed, if Oedipus had not ventured beyond the protective walls of his adopted home,
would anything such as what occurred in the play ever have transpired? If Oedipus had not
pursued that answers to the mysteries that plagued him, despite the pleading warnings of
Iocasta, in fact his life would have been contented and happy. Instead, he follows the
Socratic method of exploration and discovery, and proceeds down the path of pain and
distraught. Was, after it was over, all worth it? We find that no, it was not. Being
content and suited with what he knew of himself would have saved Oedipus and his
children/siblings much agony. However, in the typical Greek tragedy, we must see his fall
from grace through, which is indeed what happens. In the bliss of ignorance, much pain
and difficulty is averted. For what worries does the ignorant man have? In the case of
Oedipus, ignorance would have suited him fine. The Socratic quote the unexamined life is
not worth living certainly doesn't hold true in the case of Oedipus Rex. While it may
hold importance and a substantial meaning for our own lives, in the case of Oedipus Rex,
he would have been better off without it. Indeed, for while the unexamined life is poor
in a metaphysical sense, Oedipus would have truly been fine without it. For the
unexamined life is a simple one, and he would have lived a long and happy life, never
discovering the true nature of his birth, nor even caring. Oedipus Rex Sophocles' Oedipus
the King is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has
killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus was well known to the
athenian's. Oedipus is the embodiement of the perfect Athenian. He is self-confident,
intelligent, and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring about
his tragic discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of
Sphinx. Sophocles used the riddle of the sphinx as a metaphor for the 3 phases of
Oedipus' life and to futher characterized him as a tragic man. The Sphinx posed the
following riddle to all who came to obtain the rule of thebes: What is it that walks on 4
feet and 2 feet and 3 feet and has only one voice, when it walks on most feet it is the
weakest? Oedipus correctly answered Man and became the king of Thebes. This riddle is a
metaphor for the life of Oedipus. As a child man crawls on his hands and knees this is
the four feet to which the Sphinx refers. Also man is at his weakest as a small child. He
depends solely on others for his nourishment and well being. Oedipus was the child of
Jocasta and King Laius who was taken to the mountain by a shepard to be killed so the
omen of the god apollo that Laius' son would kill him and lay with Jocasta would not come
true. Oedipus was the weakest of his life at this point. If it has not been for the
shepard spairing his life and giving him to Polybus to raise as his own Oedipus would
have died. Man walks on 2 feet when he has matured. This is a metaphor for Oedipus when
he reaches adulthood and leaves Corinth to escape the oracle. Oedipus meets up with a
band of travelers and in a rage kills them. Inadvertently Oedipus has killed his own
father. Oedipus then answers the riddle of the sphinx and becomes king of Thebes. By
becoming king of Thebes he marries Jocasta the Queen of thebes and his own mother. Many
years later after bearing children with Jocasta a plague kills many of the inhabitants of
Thebes. Oedipus is told by the gods to find the killer of Laius. He is very dilligent in
the inquiriy and finally comes to the horrible truth that he himself is the murderer.
Jocasta kills herself at the horrible realization that she has layed with her son and
Oedipus puts out his eyes at finally seeing the truth. This fulfills the final part of
the Sphinx's riddle for Oedipus will have to walk with a cane for the rest of his life
because of his blindness, this will give him the 3 feet which man walks with at the end
of his years. Oedipus used his intellect and diligence to answer the riddle of the
Sphinx. Many of the most intelligent young men of thebes has been killed attempting to
answer the riddle but Oedipus proved his intelligence superior to theirs. Oedipus uses
the same intelligence and perseverence to find the killer of Laius. He does not give up
his search even when Jocasta warns him to stop and let the matter rest. He calls the
shepard and interrogates him till he discovers the horrifying truth that he is the
killer. Oedipus' intelligence was ultimately his flaw. Also, if Oedipus had not had been
as coarageous he would have have never ventured to answer the riddle of the Sphinx. Thus
even though he had killed his father he would have never become king of Thebes and laid
with his mother. In addition, if Oedipus had had the courage but not the intelligence the
Spinx would have killed him for answering the riddle incorrectly. Sophocles used this to
characterized Oedipus as a tragic man for he came about his tragic discovery not because
of an evil act or an evil trait but because of the person he was. Oedipus traits which
gave him riches and power ultimately led to his tragic ending. Also, the god apollo did
not predestine that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother by the oracle, he
only stated what he knew was inevitable because of who Oedipus was. The sphinx's riddle
was used by Sophocles to characterize Oedipus as a tragic man and as a parallel to his
life. The riddle describes the 3 stages which Oedipus went through in his life. Also in
answering the riddle Oedipus inevitable brought about his own tragic ending by a horrible
discovery.